12 Greatest Martial Arts TV Series of the 21st Century

When people think of martial arts, names like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, and Jet Li immediately come to mind. These are the figures who defined the art form for many, becoming popular through movies and inspiring fans worldwide. For a long time, martial arts films were incredibly successful, and that success was built on the connection between the two. Movies gave martial arts a larger-than-life feel, creating a sense of wonder and elevating fight choreography to an art form.

Television wasn’t originally part of the martial arts storytelling scene, but it quickly became a major player. For the last twenty years, TV has been delivering the kind of complex, character-driven martial arts stories that movies often struggle to create. TV takes a slower approach, allowing viewers to really connect with characters over time, making fight scenes feel much more impactful. These 12 shows demonstrate that television can deliver everything fans want – compelling characters and exciting action.

‘Bloodhounds’ (2023 – Present)

K-dramas are great at building suspense, even from basic storylines, and Netflix’s Bloodhounds is no exception. The show centers around two young, up-and-coming boxers, Kim Geon-woo and Hong Woo-jin, who unexpectedly get involved with dangerous loan sharks and criminals. What begins as a tale of financial hardship quickly turns into a dramatic and action-packed story.

This Netflix series, which premiered in 2023 and is based on a webtoon, quickly became a hit, topping the most-watched lists in many countries. The fight scenes are particularly impressive – they’re raw, intense, and feel incredibly realistic, focusing on mixed martial arts instead of over-the-top stunts. The two lead actors clearly put in a lot of physical effort, and their on-screen connection as characters who start as uneasy allies and become like brothers is fantastic.

‘Kung Fu’ (2021 – 2023)

Kung Fu tells the story of a young woman of Chinese-American descent who leaves everything behind and spends three years learning martial arts at a Shaolin monastery in China. When she returns to San Francisco, she finds her family struggling and the city facing new threats. This CW series, a reimagining of the 1970s show, combines family drama with action-packed fight scenes, all while exploring themes of identity and fighting for what’s right.

Olivia Liang’s nuanced portrayal of Nicky Shen gave the show real emotional depth, moving it beyond a typical superhero story. As a remake, the new Kung Fu was often compared to the original series from the 1970s. However, while the original was calm and minimalist, this version felt more heartfelt, complex, and focused on the importance of community. The show’s action sequences and martial arts storytelling were particularly well-done, which made the 2023 cancellation so disappointing for fans.

‘Heroes: Reborn’ (2015-2016)

Premiering in 2015, Heroes: Reborn revisited the core idea of the original Heroes: everyday people suddenly developing amazing powers. Though not specifically a martial arts show, it frequently includes impressive hand-to-hand combat. Characters like Hiro Nakamura blend skill and their newfound abilities in creative and impactful fight scenes. Martial arts remain central to how these heroes battle, endure, and ultimately discover who they are.

The show frequently shifts between the characters’ personal problems and the bigger conflicts happening around them, making the action feel more impactful. Heroes: Reborn is unique in how it’s paced, letting characters develop naturally, even if it’s not always smooth. The original Heroes gained a loyal fanbase, and many new viewers discovered it through Netflix and kept watching because they enjoyed the show.

‘Iron Fist’ (2017 – 2018)

Iron Fist faced a lot of challenges. Critics didn’t like it very much, and early conversations about the show focused on problems during its production and the less-than-impressive fight scenes compared to other Marvel shows on Netflix. Some people also questioned the decision to cast Finn Jones as Danny Rand, considering the character’s background as a white man trained by monks in a hidden city.

Despite not being a critical success, Iron Fist is a fascinating case study in television. The show truly shines when it stops trying to imitate Daredevil and leans into the strange, unique elements of its comic book origins – particularly the focus on business dealings and the mysterious organization known as the Hand. The choice to have Colleen Wing become the Iron Fist at the end suggests the writers finally grasped the show’s true potential.

‘Wu Assassins’ (2019)

Netflix’s Wu Assassins is perfect for fans of martial arts. The show takes place in San Francisco’s Chinatown and centers on Kai Jin (Iko Uwais), a chef who unexpectedly becomes the Wu Assassin. He’s tasked with defeating powerful, supernatural warlords who control elemental forces. The series blends fantasy and realistic fight scenes, creating a compelling and exciting watch.

As a huge action fan, I was immediately hooked by this show – Uwais, who blew me away in The Raid, brings that same incredible energy to every fight. Seriously, the action is just so crisp, fast-paced, and impactful. He makes it all feel so real! Plus, the supporting cast, with actors like Byron Mann and Katheryn Winnick, really elevated the whole thing. It’s honestly baffling to me that it only lasted one season; there was so much potential story left to explore.

‘Daredevil’ (2015 – 2018)

Before Marvel’s main cinematic universe had a clear plan for its more grounded heroes, Daredevil debuted on Netflix in 2015 and quickly set a high bar. While the character of Matt Murdock – a lawyer who is blind and fights crime as a masked vigilante – wasn’t new, Charlie Cox’s portrayal felt incredibly revitalizing. His Daredevil was a complex character, wrestling with inner conflict, a strong moral code, and a willingness to push his physical limits, and the incredible hallway fight sequence in the first season instantly became a fan favorite.

The show powerfully featured Wilson Fisk, played by Vincent D’Onofrio, as a central figure. Fisk is such a well-developed villain that even his quieter scenes, without any action, are incredibly captivating. Season 3 returned to the intense action that fans loved, improving on the somewhat inconsistent second season. Given how popular Daredevil was, Disney’s decision to bring the character back in Daredevil: Born Again in 2025 felt natural and expected.

‘The Brothers Sun’ (2024)

Most shows don’t start with a Taiwanese crime boss being shot, then quickly become a funny story about family problems, but The Brothers Sun manages it effortlessly. This Netflix series centers on Charles Sun (Justin Chien), a gangster from Taipei who goes to Los Angeles to look after his mother (Michelle Yeoh) and his younger brother, Bruce (Sam Song Li). Bruce has been kept unaware of the family’s criminal activities.

Initially appearing as a typical crime story, The Brothers Sun quickly evolves into a complex and moving exploration of family bonds and loyalty, featuring stunning action scenes. Michelle Yeoh’s performance significantly enhances the show, and the fighting style of her character reflects a difficult and restrained past. With just eight episodes and a dedicated fanbase, it’s a series worth checking out.

‘My Name’ (2021)

At the heart of the Netflix thriller My Name is a story of grief and revenge. The series follows Yoon Ji-woo, played by Han So-hee, as she goes undercover as a police officer, determined to find her father’s killer. My Name blends the suspense of an undercover operation with exciting martial arts action. Han So-hee delivers a standout performance, captivating viewers with her intensity, emotional depth, and impressive physicality – she truly makes the show work.

Before this, most people recognized her from Nevertheless. But she completely surpasses anything she’s done before. You can tell she trained for months for this role, especially in the fight scenes. She’s both furious and incredibly skilled, and the way the fights are staged perfectly shows what she’s feeling.

‘Into the Badlands’ (2015– 2019)

With powerful barons, vast cotton plantations, and a society rooted in conflict, AMC’s Into the Badlands is a visually stunning post-apocalyptic series. The show features Daniel Wu as Sunny, a highly skilled warrior who maintains a sense of compassion. Combining the graceful fight choreography of wuxia films with a gritty, *Mad Maxinspired world, it’s a beautiful and exciting experience for fans of martial arts.

You can clearly see the influence of Hong Kong action movies in this show, and it doesn’t try to hide it. Fight choreographer Master Dee brings a dramatic flair to the action scenes, though things like flowing fabrics, swords, acrobatic stunts, and vibrant colors were unusual for American viewers when it first aired. While Into the Badlands didn’t find a large audience during its original run, it’s become much more popular since it ended.

‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ (2024 – Present)

Deciding to remake Avatar: The Last Airbender as a live-action series was a huge risk for Netflix in 2024. The original animated show has a dedicated fanbase who know it inside and out, and they’ve been very critical of past attempts to adapt it. Because of this, everyone was watching closely when the new Netflix version was released.

Viewers were surprised by how faithfully the series adapted the original story, especially its detailed world and the unique fighting styles. Each element’s bending is based on different real-world martial arts, making the fight scenes particularly impressive. Although the show isn’t perfect, it has the potential and emotional depth to address its flaws in the next season.

2026-04-01 05:06